ÉCLAT 693

Olfactory Experience

ÉCLAT 693 kicks off with an aggressively tart green apple, like a Granny Smith soaked in lemon juice concentrate. The mint is present, but fleeting, overshadowed by a persistent, almost acrid, chemical tang. The heart attempts to smooth things out with tonka bean, but it reads more like a powdery, synthetic vanilla extract than the creamy depth of the real deal. Ambroxan adds a vague woodiness, vaguely reminiscent of pencil shavings. The drydown is where this diverges significantly; the cedar notes lean heavily into a harsh, dry sawdust accord, lacking the smooth, resinous quality found in better cedar interpretations. It has a synthetic ambergris musk that gives it a slightly cloying, artificial sweetness with a hint of old socks.

The Verdict

ÉCLAT 693 is best suited for situations where scent isn't the primary focus. Perhaps a quick gym session or a trip to the grocery store, where you desire a clean but ultimately generic aroma. However, for date nights or formal events? Absolutely not. Its synthetic qualities and short lifespan render it unsuitable for any occasion where making a sophisticated impression is desired.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity clocks in at around 4-5 hours, with projection initially reaching a solid arm's length, quickly diminishing to a skin scent within the first hour. I wore this during a casual weekend outing and found it became grating after repeated sniffs in a confined space. It also struggled in warmer environments, developing an unpleasant plastic-like edge as it heated up.